There is much speculation in this presidential race that has seen it’s share of front-runners. From Mitt Romney to Michele Bachmann to Rick Perry and now Herman Cain, the lead has changed frequently and rapidly, amid speculation that Paul Ryan, Chris Christie, or Sarah Palin might jump in at any time and take the lead. So, it is not surprising that some people are suggesting that Herman Cain’s recent jump in the polls will soon fade like Bachmann’s and Perry’s.

Michele Bachmann took the lead because she presented a conservative TEA party alterntive to the more moderate Romney. Her lead faded when Rick Perry jumped into the race and took over that spot. Now, Herman Cain is where Rick Perry was a few weeks ago, but his situation is different.

Herman Cain’s case is different because he didn’t jump into the lead by jumping into the race, like the others; he was already in it. He didn’t present himself as the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. What he did was to continue hammering on his 9-9-9 plan until people took notice. This was an exercise in leadership, and it is the reason why his success will continue.

People want to be for something, and Herman Cain gives them that. His plan is specific, clear, and fixes a problem that all who pay taxes are too well-aware of: the complex tax code. His plan will also eliminate tax loopholes and lower the rate to make US companies more competitive. Repealing Obamacare is great, but voters want a plan.

With Herman Cain’s rise, his opponents have taken shots at him and his plan. Those shots have failed, understandably, because none have presented a better alternative. Here’s a clue for the rest of the republicans in the field: you need to show leadership.

It seems like too many people in government have forgotten the concept of solving problems. They believe that the way to win is to tear down other people’s ideas and try not to present anything that someone else can attack. When Herman Cain wins this election, the other candidates can look back on this and understand their failures were failures of leadership. If Cain doesn’t win, it will be due to a self-inflicted wound because no one else can lay a glove on him. He’s a real leader and that trumps everything.